ISHS Acta Horticulturae 255: III International Symposium on Soil Desinfestation
USE OF SOIL STERILANTS IN FLORIDA VEGETABLE PRODUCTION* |
| Author: | T.A. Bewick |
| Abstract:
Research to develop soil sterilants for Florida vegetable production began in the mid 1940's. Although not recommended by university personnel at this time, full field fumigation services were being offered by commercial companies. Throughout the 1950's extensive research was done with sterilants to control a complex popularly called "old land disease" in fresh market tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) production. This complex was caused by increases in populations of nematodes, plant pathogens and weeds, with repeated cropping. Growers avoided this problem by rotating their growing enterprises to previously uncropped land every two or three years. During the late 1950's Florida's nonfarming population began to grow rapidly. Land that was suitable for vegetable production was also favorable for commercial and residential development. Urban growth made the practice of moving to previously uncropped land expensive, and the profitability of growing vegetables began to decline. During the late 1950's black polyethylene films were introduced as mulches. During the 1960's a system of in-the-row fumigation, followed by application of a polyethylene mulch, the use of high analysis fertilizers, and maintenance of a high water table made continuous cropping of the same fields possible. Over the decade of the 1970's this system was modified and improved, and is still the system of choice for the majority of Florida tomato growers. Florida's non-farming population growth has continued. At present there is considerable competition for available land and water resources between farming and urban interests. Maintenance of a high water table in vegetable production is potentially wasteful of fresh water supplies. Research currently ongoing is addressing this potential problem by investigating the possibility of injecting soil sterilants through drip irrigation systems. Concerns for the quality of the natural environment are being expressed in investigations into soil solarization, and the search for new, more environmentally safe soil sterilants. | |
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